Why Do Gymnasts Use Chalk and What Are the Different Types?

Gymnastics Guides / By
gymnast chalk bowl

Chalk bowls are a common sight at gymnastics training sessions and competitions. Despite its messiness and distinct smell, chalk plays a crucial role for gymnasts.

This article explains why gymnasts use chalk, how it improves their performance, and the types of chalk available.

Let’s get started!

Why do gymnasts use chalk?

Gymnasts use chalk to combat the effect of sweaty hands. This is especially important when a gymnast is using apparatus such as the bars and rings as sweaty hands will increase the chance of gymnast losing their grip.

Gymnasts also use chalk as it increases the friction between hands and apparatus. This sounds counterproductive but too much friction will rip gymnasts’ hands as they swing.

The chalk works by absorbing the moisture on the hands and helps the gymnasts to stay on the equipment which is not always easy. Gymnastics is a sport that pushes athletes to the limit both physically and mentally. With the added pressure of competition, gymnasts can become sweaty very quickly!

Without chalk, there would be a huge increase in falls and slips.

What is gymnastics chalk made from?

Gymnastics chalk is made from Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO3) and is available in three forms:

Powder

The powder is probably the most familiar type of gymnastics chalk but it is also the messiest because it is loose. This means when gymnasts apply it to their hands they will need to brush excess chalk off and it quickly fills the air and gets into eyes and hair! Lots of gyms now ban powder chalk because of the mess it can make.

primo chalk bag

To help reduce the mess of powder chalk, many gymnasts now use small ball socks which are filled with chalk. The fabric is porous so small amounts of chalk will come out of the sock but they are much cleaner than simply having a big bowl of chalk. Most socks are refillable and can be opened and closed using a drawstring.

chalk ball sock

Solid Block

Blocks of chalk break down into powder fairly quickly. They are slightly less messy than bags of loose chalk but you will still need a chalk bowl or bucket.

gymnast chalk block

Liquid Spray Chalk

Liquid chalk is the least messy type of gymnastics chalk. Once it is sprayed onto the hands it becomes solid within a few seconds and covers the hands really well. To remove the chalk a gymnast simply needs to wash their hands with soap at the end of a session. The advantage of liquid chalk is that there is no need for a chalk bowl or bucket. The gymnast simply carries their bottle with them into the gym.

liquid chalk

Is gymnastics chalk the same as normal chalk?

No, most other chalks such as those used in classrooms are made from Calcium Sulphate (CaSO4). If you are thinking of using classroom chalk as an alternative, then please don’t as it will not absorb moisture or reduce friction in the same way that Magnesium Carbonate does.

Why do gymnasts powder their legs?

Gymnasts sometimes powder their legs to help them grip during somersaults and other tumbles. As the gymnast flips, they often close their body into a tucked or picked shape which requires them to hold onto their legs with their hands. Some will grab the front of the legs by the shins, others will grab behind the back of the thighs.

Because the legs also get sweaty, a bit of chalk will absorb the sweat and reduce the chances of letting go by mistake. The gravitational forces at work during a somersault are extreme so grabbing the legs safely is super important to help a gymnast land on their feet correctly.

Male gymnasts apply chalk underneath their armpits when they use the Parallel Bars as they can swing on the bars with their upper arms on the bars.

Tumblers sometimes chalk their feet by stepping onto a chalk tray. The idea is exactly the same – they are trying to absorb the sweat underneath the feet and improve the grip of their feet when they land on the tumble track.

Why do gymnasts chalk the beam?

Technically gymnasts are not allowed to put excessive amounts of chalk onto the beam as it can make the beam slippery. While chalk enhances grip on bars and rings, it has less impact on the beam’s suede covering. However, some gymnasts still like to chalk their feet before getting onto the beam.

Others will use chalk to mark out specific points on the beam to help them know where to perform certain parts of the routine.

What do gymnasts spray on the bars?

Gymnasts spray water to make the bars stickier which combined with chalk helps with grip.

Different gymnasts have slightly different variations on what they add to the water. Some will add resin, sugar or molasses to help make the water stickier.

At competitions, the FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) allows for the apparatus to be sprayed but gymnasts are required to clean up after they complete a routine. Any sticky mess left for the next gymnast is frowned upon and penalty points can be deducted from a gymnast’s score.

Are there alternatives to gymnastics chalk?

There are no specific alternatives to gymnastics chalk however, gymnasts have been very creative in combining other products with the chalk to enhance its stickiness.

Syrup or honey are two examples of creative combinations. Beer has also been known to work well, though it is usually found in a different type of bar!

Trent Wells the retired USA gymnast allegedly used melted gummy bears!

Away from competitions, gymnasts will be back at their own gymnastics training facilities where coaches can experiment further without risking breaking any competition rules. Examples of coaches using products to improve the grip on bars include coke (it opens up the grains of the wooden bars and allows the chalk to stick to the bar for longer).

Coaches will also sand or velcro down areas of the bar that need more chalk to embed into the wood.